The traditions of Remembrance Day ceremonies remain as strong today as they did decades ago. Somehow, the sameness of everything is comforting and somehow, these ceremonies never lose their impact.

Bright red poppies adorn the lapel of every coat, whether they are worn by politicians, veterans, schoolchildren or everyday folk; the colours (flags) are marched on and off; prayers are said; wreaths are laid and bagpipes and trumpets wail the same familiar tunes paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom.

These traditions were part of the program Tuesday at the Lynden Legion Hall, where about 100 people gathered to remember the sacrifices of Canadians in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, and to recognize the courage of those now laying their lives on the line for Canada.

There was something new at this year’s ceremonies in Lynden.

At the front of the hall stood a large display of laminated photos of the 98 Canadian soldiers who have been killed in the Afghanistan conflict. A row of poppies across the top of the display stood as a symbol of their sacrifice and as a promise that their courage will not be forgotten.

It was refreshing to see that a good portion of the crowd was made up of children from Lee Academy, and Beverly Central and Dr. John Seaton public schools. It will be this generation that will be charged with the responsibility of preserving public recognition of veterans long after the last of Canada’s Second World War vets are gone.

The Lynden Legion is certainly doing its part to maintain young people’s interest in Remembrance Day, by sponsoring annual awards for posters and poems created by students. For the past 18 years, the branch’s youth education director Gwen Fyfe has looked after the contest and it’s easy to see that, for her, it truly is a labour of love.

One of the poster contest’s early winners, Allison Rostic, is now a first-year fine arts student at the University of Guelph and recently wrote a letter to the Lynden branch to thank its members for encouraging her artistic bent as well as developing an appreciation of the significance of Remembrance Day. She also sent a gift –a lifelike pencil sketch of a veteran. The gesture moved Fyfe to tears but also clearly shows that the younger generation recognizes the importance of Remembrance Day and is ready to embrace and protect its traditions.

That Remembrance Day continues to be held in such high regard, by young and old alike, is a lasting legacy that can be added to the list of credits of our valiant veterans.